Weather Forecast: The Past as Predictor?

We’d be wise to heed the lessons of the past and prepare for a continued increase in weather related catastrophes.

If Mother Nature was trying to send us a message in 2017, it makes us think of the adage “When Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”.Mountains ravaged by wildfires weaponized into a tsunami of mud, boulders, and fallen trees offers this clear message: we’d be wise to heed the lessons of the past and prepare for a continued increase in weather related catastrophes.

Total cost for weather disasters in the United States was a record $306 billion

Three of the five most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history hit last year:

Harvey caused massive flooding in Texas: $125 billion

Maria’s damage in Puerto Rico: $90 billion

Irma’s damage, mainly in Florida: $50 billion

Western wildfires caused $18 billion in damage. According to NOAA, this total is three times the U.S. wildfire record.

NOAA also reported 2017 was the third hottest year in U.S. records for the Lower 48 states — a full 2.6 degrees warmer than the 20th century average.

This was the third straight year that all 50 states had above average temperatures for the year.

Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and New Mexico — had their warmest year ever.

Rather than using this post to debate the possible causes for such disturbing weather trends, we instead urge readers to ask themselves this important question:

“IF my home and belongings are ravaged by a catastrophic weather event, will my insurance coverage provide the level of protection I want to rely on?”

With so much to lose, we encourage readers to sit down with an insurance professional who specializes in helping those they serve by crafting a protection program that “starts with the end in mind”. Of course, the team here at Wells Insurance is happy to assist you.